Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-16 Master Plan Implementation Committee Minutes MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE: August 16,2022 In Attendance: Members Jonathan Strauss (Chair), Stan Limpert, Hollie Williams, George Koehler, and Eitan Goldberg Absent: Meredith Barnes-Cook and Sean McDonough Staff:Andrew Shapiro (Director of Community and Economic Development) and Jean Enright (Planning Director) Jonathan Strauss called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Public Comment Jon Strauss asked Andrew Shapiro if he had received any comments from the public. Mr. Shapiro said that no comments had received. Mr. Strauss had not received any either. No members of the public were present at the meeting to provide comment. Approval of minutes from the July 11,2022 meetine Eitan Goldberg made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Stan Limpert seconded the motion. All who were present voted in favor(unanimous; 5-0). Recap of Town Meeting MPIC Presentation Jonathan Strauss provided this recap noting that the Committee had not taken a specific position on the Royal Crest project, but had evaluated it against certain strategies in the Master Plan that were deemed relevant to the project. He provided that information at Town Meeting. Old Business • Continued discussion of updates on Master Plan strategies that have been made on the MIC Implementation Web Pale Andrew Shapiro provided updates to the Committee about progress to Master Plan Strategies and where they had been updated on the Committee's Master Plan Implementation website. Some of the updates discussed: ■ Land Use Strategy#2: Create a new base zoning district for Downtown North Andover that is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan and encourages and incentivizes reinvestment: On May 11, 202Z a public meeting was held on this topic to solicit feedback regarding how the downtown should/can be zoned in the future. The consultant introduced the project, tested preferences for zoning dimensions and design, and invited public comment.A full recording of meeting can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anKXKOH8pt8&t=5s-Updated July 13, 2022 Land Use Strategy#6: Review existing lot size requirements and dimensional regulations for Residential Districts to determine if they are consistent with the vision and goals of the Master Plan and desires of North Andover's residents. • Regarding this strategy, Mr. Goldberg noted that opinions in North Andover most likely vary widely with respect to dimensional regulations and lot size requirements. Ms. Enright explained that during the stakeholder engagement process when developing the Master Plan,there was one developer stakeholder in particular that pressed for smaller lot sizes in locations such as out country. This feedback made it into the final report. Goldberg stressed that he did not feel as though this strategy needs to be prioritized at this time. Housing Strategy#14: Utilize CPA and Housing Trust funds to offset housing costs for households at the lowest income brackets (households up to 30 percent of Area Median Income):Annual Town Meeting 2022 approved$100,000 from CPA, which will be combined with another$300,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust($400,000 total) to fund design of 12 new units of housing at the North Andover Housing Authority's Fountain Drive property. Click here to view the CPC application that was submitted and ultimately approved for this project. - Updated July 13, 2022 Public Facilities and Services Strategy#85: Continue to prioritize the update, repair, and renovation of the Town's public buildings and schools as needed: In June of 202Z the Town completed this project, which includes an evaluation of 21 Town facilities and the Town's website for ADA compliance, an update to its ADA Policies and Procedures, and a Transition Plan that outlines suggested improvements to all facilities to ensure 100%ADA compliance. Click here to access these documents. - Updated July 13, 2022 Public Facilities and Services Strategy#102: Actively recruit volunteers that represent a greater gender, age and ethnic diversity: The Town formed a Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which began to meet in October of 2020. The Commission's mission statement says that it is to act as a central focus in the Town and community, advocating and advising on diversity issues, providing information, referral, guidance, education and coordination to public agencies,private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to deal with issues affecting diversity such as, but not limited to prejudice and discrimination against people because of their,race, language, ethnicity, national origin, citizen status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, physical/mental ability, religion, marital status, military status or age. -Last Updated August 16, 2022 New Business • Discussion regarding Master Plan Strategy 19: Create an Accessory Dwelling Unit(ADU) bylaw that would allow small accessory residential units on existing residential parcels. Mr. Shapiro went through a series of slides that were prepared in advance of the meetings that outlined issues related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Shapiro also shared a list of 13 permitted family suites, which are legally allowed in North Andover and require that a direct relative of a homeowner reside in the accessory unit (among other regulations). Ms. Williams noted that there are at least 28 such units that have been advertised as such in real estate listings that she has identified. Shapiro confirmed that the properly permitted units are reflected in recorded documents at the registry of deeds. Shapiro went on to note that a study had been undertaken by the Town of Needham to determine whether legally allowing ADUs would be appropriate for their town. The Town cited similar goals of being able to provide additional housing options and increasing affordability; it also cited concerns related to changing the appearance of single family home neighborhoods and stressing Town services. Shapiro also discussed a Pioneer Institute whitepaper that was shared with the Committee, which outlined similar concerns that it had gleaned from stakeholders; however, it concludes that ADUs are a positive attribute to communities. It notes that ADUs could be a by-right use if integrated inside a primary dwelling unit;ADU's attached to the exterior of a home could be by special permit. Shapiro also cited a column in the Chicago Tribune from a few years ago that advocates against ADU's— specifically it advocates against a proposed reversal of a ban that had been instituted against ADU's. Shapiro suggested that a working group could be formed to discuss this issue in more detail and to perhaps arrive at a consensus on action to be taken, if any. Goldberg agreed and noted that the current bylaw is vague, poorly written, and not enforced. He continued by explaining that it would be helpful to hear from people who are against the idea of an ADU bylaw to understand what their concerns are and if there is a middle ground to getting a new bylaw developed. The Committee agreed that they would continue the discussion about how to engage the public and move forward on this issue. Adjournment Eitan Goldberg: So motioned. Hollie Williams: Seconded. Motion was unanimous in the affirmative (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 7:06pm.